The Comanche Peak Wilderness Area is characterized by rolling tundra hills, vast evergreen forests, tumbling mountain streams, and miles of quite, peaceful trails.

Located 35 miles west of Fort Collins and abutting the northern boundary of Rocky Mountain National Park, the Comanche Peak Wilderness encompasses 67,000 acres and includes nineteen named trails.

Each trail description includes a comment section by the authors that reviews the features of the route. This is followed by detailed instructions on how to find the trailhead and precise route instructions. Each description includes a topographical map and color photos of the trail. Trail descriptions start out with basic information such as the length of the route, elevation range, difficulty, and the season when the trail is most easily hiked. Note that many of these trails are also excellent for snowshoeing in the winter.

This is the first in a series of Colorado Wilderness Area Pack Guides. This series is being researched, written, and photographed in the belief that the more hikers explore Colorado’s Wilderness Areas, the more advocates there will be for enlarging those areas, and maybe even establishing new Wilderness Areas in Colorado—and throughout the country.

JOE and FRÉDÉRIQUE GRIM have hiked all the trails in the Comanche Peak Wilderness Area. They live in Loveland, Colorado.